Breed comparison
Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Australian Shepherd
3Affection with family5
5Good with young children3
3Good with other dogs3
3Openness to strangers4
4Playfulness5
5Energy level5
5Trainability5
5Mental stimulation needs5
3Adaptability5
3Watchdog / protective3
3Barking4
3Shedding3
2Coat grooming3
1Drooling1
The biggest differences
- Affection with family: the Border Collie scores 5 out of 5, the Australian Shepherd 3.
- Good with young children: the Australian Shepherd scores 5 out of 5, the Border Collie 3.
- Adaptability: the Border Collie scores 5 out of 5, the Australian Shepherd 3.
They score the same on good with other dogs, energy level, trainability, mental stimulation needs, watchdog / protective, shedding.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Australian Shepherd if you have young children, you want a quieter dog. Pick the Border Collie if you live in a smaller home or move often.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.